The rumors connecting the Chicago Bears to 30-year-old wide receiver Pierre Garcon were thin – but existent! – and not especially recent.
Thus, today’s report that he’ll be signing with the 49ers is mostly of interest for the downstream market implications:
When Pierre Garcon finalizes deal with 49ers, as expected, league sources believe he will make $16 million in first year.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 8, 2017
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The assumption here is that a signing bonus is included there, and the deal is front-loaded. Garcon is not getting $16 million AAV.
Still, it’s another healthy commitment for a wide receiver who is not in the top tier group in this class. It’s also a wide receiver going to a team that was not seriously rumored to be in on Alshon Jeffery, so no doors have been closed on that front. We’ll continue to monitor the wide receiver market.
By the way: the 49ers bringing in a top Washington wide receiver, and former Kirk Cousins target, won’t do much to quell rumors that they’re still looking to trade for Cousins. That, in turn, could greatly impact their plans at the top of the draft, one spot ahead of the Bears.